News

Columbia Heights, Minn. - Charges are pending against a Minnesota veterinary technician suspected of trying to fill bogus veterinary prescriptions for pain killers, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported.

They say that most things in life swing like a pendulum from extreme to extreme. We know the business economy follows a boom-and-bust cycle that is mitigated only marginally through government intervention. Also, the political inclinations of society vacillate between conservative and liberal thought and from intolerance to excessive political correctness.

I was about halfway through my brilliant explanation of spinal disc disease when, suddenly, the exam room filled with the thrilling sounds of the William Tell Overture.

The 2-pound Yorkie was carrying a huge mountain oyster. It was hanging out both sides of his mouth, and he was proud as a peacock.

Dr. James Brooks turned over in bed and looked at the clock. It was 8:05 a.m. He was a little late but thought he could make it to the clinic on time. He quickly headed to the bathroom to wash up and brush his teeth. He looked in the mirror - same face, different day. He laughed nervously because it really wasn't the same face. It was a suddenly aging facade marred by the daily stress of being a solo practitioner in a changing veterinary world. He had never married. His apartment usually was a mess - cleaned only when circumstances dictated.

This month's Diagnote contains two true-life tales, one of them written in response to the October 2007 Diagnote entitled, "When others need help, will you make a difference?"

The following tip is brought to you by a member of the Veterinary Leadership Group (VLG), a group of 20 management-savvy practitioners and hospital managers from across the country who meet twice a year to discuss business improvement, personal growth and social development issues for their practices.

This internist has a passion for teaching and sees great changes ahead in the realm of veterinary education. "The future of veterinary medicine lies in subcertification, meaning students being trained only in small-animal or large-animal medicine."

We keep the cages of our laterally recumbent patients heavily padded, but these patients are hard to keep dry and clean.

Cheyenne, Wyo. - Veterinary researchers at the University of Wyoming are working with the state's Game and Fish Department (G&F) to identify lichen toxins believed to be sickening elk, leaving them unable to stand.

Denver, Co. - A stalled state bill moved ahead after a provision was removed allowing pet owners to seek non-economic damages against veterinarians.

No is the abbreviation for Norway and the element Nobelium.

In the item "A tip for laser tips" in the December 2007 "Idea Exchange," plastic needle covers are used as containers for sterilizing laser tips.

Hartford, Conn. - Veterinary medicine's leaders oppose a bill that seeks to outlaw non-therapeutic cat declawing in Connecticut and strip the licenses of DVMs caught violating the ban.

National Report - Some call it evolutionary. Others consider it a mistake. No matter how it's defined, limiting the licenses of veterinarians is stirring national debate, from college classrooms to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). The outcome could mean licensure limitations, experts say.

The panel moderator acknowledged the elderly, silver-haired gentleman at the microphone. "It's a pleasure to have you with us again, Doctor." The old man, professor emeritus, famous veterinary surgeon, author of a text that was required reading for most members of the audience during their schooling, nodded, smiled, and waved his hand toward the stage.

Is your practice upside down?

Just before performing venipuncture in front of a patient's owner, I always ask the owner a question that will elicit a long answer.

Richmond, Va. - Reported cases of animal rabies in the state have spiked to their highest number since 1982, according to Virginia health officials.

In A Handbook of Horse-Shoeing, published in 1898, Dr. A. W. Dollar described the correct manner for evaluating a horse prior to fitting shoes. "The horse must be seen both at rest and in motion," wrote Dollar, "the object being to form a clear idea of the conformation and action of the limb, of the form and condition of the hoof, of the way in which the horse brings the foot to, and lifts it from, the ground."

College Station, Texas - Two equine veterinarians, one in academia and one in private practice, were inducted into the International Equine Veterinarians Hall of Fame, recognizing their contributions to the advancement of equine foot care.

There's an old axiom in the veterinary profession that the field essentially is recession-proof.

Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. - The Florida Board of Veterinary Medicine clarified that DVMs must be present during microchipping, despite strong opposition from shelter representatives.

Portland, Ore. - A new Oregon law requires practice owners, among others, to develop, implement and maintain reasonable safeguards to ensure the security, confidentiality and integrity of sensitive personal information.

Congenital portosystemic shunts usually are single vessels that develop inside or outside the liver (Photo 1). Because these vessels carry blood around the liver instead of through it, the normal hepatic processes of metabolism, storage and production are disrupted. Most animals with congenital portosystemic shunts (CPSS) present with mild to moderate clinical signs that are not life-threatening. The most critical component for their long-term treatment is restriction of dietary protein to reduce substrates for ammonia formation by colonic bacteria. Diets for dogs with CPSS should be 15 percent to 20 percent protein on a dry-matter basis, readily digestible, high in zinc and vitamin E, and low in manganese. Sources of gastrointestinal hemorrhage (gastritis, parasites), which provide additional protein substrate, should be treated. Ammonia production and absorption can be reduced by administration of lactulose, antibiotics such as neomycin or metronidazole, or unflavored yogurt with active cultures. Cystitis..

After administration of ABS to geldings and mares, stallion-like behavior was observed.

It is not often that one is able to bear witness to a sea change. The veterinary community has, in my opinion, seen one with the development of the melanoma vaccine. This unique form of therapy, a DNA-based vaccine, would justify my opinion, but the successful collaboration between veterinary oncologists, human oncologists and the pharmaceutical industry also serve to mark this event as extraordinary.

Dallas - Far from television characterizations as a city filled with cowboy hats, bolero ties and society debutantes, the reality is that the Dallas area is economically strong, with a thriving job market and stable housing.